Election tally: 4 candidates, $200,000 raised, 2 days to go

The candidates in the Dallas ISD District 2 board race have raised nearly $200,000 in their quest to succeed former trustee and new Texas Education Agency commissioner Mike Morath on the Dallas ISD school board — and they have spent almost all of that money.

This Saturday, May 7, is Election Day. We’ve reviewed the candidates’ campaign donations and expenses, a report required by the state 8 days prior to the election, and have created a cumulative report for each candidate.

Keep in mind that in order to win, one candidate needs to obtain more than 50 percent of the votes, otherwise a runoff with the top two vote-getters will take place on Saturday, June 18. Also consider that this is a special election; Morath left a year and a half into his three-year term, and District 2 is on the May 2017 election cycle. That means the winner of this race will serve for less than a year before campaign season begins again for next May’s election.

Dustin Marshall

Total raised: $135,821
In bank on 4/29: $377
Personal loans: $50,000

Total number of contributions: 176
Individuals contributing $1,000+: 8

Fun facts: Marshall continues to garner support from some of Dallas’ big political spenders, such as Cadillac dealer Carl Sewell ($2,500), billionaire oilman Ray Hunt ($1,000) and energy magnate Erle Nye ($1,000). Though most of his financial support has come from Preston Hollow and North Dallas, he had more Lakewood backing this past donation cycle, which may have been assisted by several campaign gatherings hosted by Lakewood residents who made in-kind food and drink donations.

Mita Havlick

Total number of contributions: 134
Individuals contributing $1,000+: 2

Fun facts: Havlick’s campaign continues to draw on a large number of smaller donations concentrated in the East Dallas zip codes of 75206 and 75214. She is the only candidate that has substantial money to spend this final week of the race and, possibly, in a runoff.

Suzanne Smith

Total raised: $29,375
In bank on 4/29: $1,566.25
Personal loans: $0

Total number of contributions: 134
Individuals contributing $1,000+: 6

Fun facts: Dallas County Schools board president Larry Duncan gave a whopping $10,000 to Smith’s campaign, in addition to the $1,000 he donated prior to the last report. She also has the support of Trammell Crow ex-CEO Don Williams — who picked a public email fight with former DISD superintendent Mike Miles — and his wife, Ellen, who gave her $3,000 in the last month. Former Dallas mayor Laura Miller, who recently endorsed Smith, also gave her $250 in financial support.

Carlos Marroquin

Total raised: $0
In bank on 4/29: $0
Personal loans: $0

Total number of contributions: 0
Individuals contributing $1,000+: 0

Fun facts: The lack of fundraising explains the absence of any Marroquin signs on neighborhood streets or at polling locations.

WANT MORE?Click to sign up for the Advocate's weekly news digest and be the first to know what’s happening in Lakewood/East Dallas.